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Secrets & Lies [1996]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

If a film fan had never heard of director Mike Leigh, one might explain him as a British Woody Allen. Not that Leigh's films are whimsical or neurotic; they are tough-love examinations of British life--funny, outlandish and biting. His films share a real immediacy with Allen's work: they feel as if they are happening now. Leigh works with actors--real actors--on ideas and language. There is no script at the start (and sometimes not at the end). Secrets and Lies involves Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), an elegant black woman wanting to learn her birth mother's identity. She will find it's Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn), who is one of the saddest creatures we've seen in film. She's also one of the most real and, ultimately, one of the most loveable. Timothy Spall is Cynthia's brother, a giant man full of love who is being slowly defeated by his fastidious wife (Phyllis Logan).

There is a great exuberance of life in Secrets & Lies, winner of the Palme D'Or and best actress (Blethyn) at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival--not Zorba-type life but the little battles fought and won every day. Leigh's honest interpretation of daily life is usually found only on the stage. Secrets & Lies is more realistic than a stage production, however, especially when Leigh shows us uninterrupted scenes. Critic David Denby states that Leigh has "made an Ingmar Bergman film without an instant of heaviness or pretension." If that sounds like your cup of tea, see Secrets & Lies. --Doug Thomas


The Truth Shall Set You Free
Review date: 2007-07-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

Over-the-top emotionally, boldly going where few films ever dare to go, Mike Leigh's "Secrets and Lies" never fails, even after many repeated viewings, to impress with its naked, in-your-face emotionalism. Just when you think that Leigh's characters can go no further, cannot possibly peel away another layer to reveal a truth about themselves...a character or characters does just that.
Roxanne's (Claire Rushbrook) birthday "party" at her brother Maurice's (a terrific performance by Timothy Spall) house is one of the greatest scenes ever committed to film: all the secrets and lies of this family are revealed, reviled and laid out for all to accept or not. Think "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" times 10 as the old saying the truth shall set you free is applied generously as the wine flows in this scene. All of the characters attain a kind of redemption through speaking the truth: simple in concept but so very difficult in practice.
Brenda Blethyn's Cynthia is a big basket of exposed nerve endings all of which are , at the drop of a hat, ready to explode...and explode they do by way of a performance that on the one hand grates on your nerves while on the other simply tugs at your heart. You will hate Cynthia at times but ultimately she cannot, as Willy Loman by way of Arthur Miller says...be ignored.
"Secrets and Lies" is one of the greatest films ever made. It makes its play not only for your mind and succeeds but it also makes a play for your heart and soul...and succeeds in a way that only the greatest films do: with a simple re-telling of those things we all recognize as the truths of life.


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Reviews


Give us a cuddle Maurice
Review date: 2007-06-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

In my opinion, a career high for director Mike Leigh, and most of the players. I can watch this film again and again and get something new from it each time.

Most of the characters spend their time in a strange dance with mediocrity, stepping carefully around painful issues. The desire of Hortense to find her birth Mother is the catalyst that makes people face their pain, and leads to a measure of resolve for the peoples' problems. The one issue that doesn't get aired is that of Hortense's Father, which is too painful for her Mother to discuss. We are left suspecting the worst, which is a shame for Hortense who had the courage to set off the chain of events that leads to improvement in everyone's lives.

It is a long film. There are sub-plots surrounding the work of photographer Maurice, and optometrist Hortense, who are both in the business of seeing. There are also long shots of everyday events, like carrying shopping into the house, and picking up mail from the front door. This detailed observation of human life fits the tone of the film, and makes for a special, thought-provoking movie experience.

I cannot close without mentioning Brenda Blethyn. Her portrayal of likable but hopeless wretch Cynthia, is funny and moving. She gets me every time.

One of the best British films
Review date: 2005-04-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

I think this is wonderful. My husband is Spanish and this was his first introduction to Britain six years ago. It still makes me laugh to think about his reaction. Watch it!

The Typical British Family?
Review date: 2004-08-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

With 'Secrets & Lies' (1996) Mike Leigh produced one of the most accurate snap-shots of what goes on behind closed doors of a true British family. As the narrative unwinds we get drawn deeper and deeper into the lives of Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn), Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), and other members of the family.

Leigh reveals to us how secrets and lies can cause upset, pain,
and regret in what has to be one of the best British films of the 90's. With spot-on dialogue and glorious performances it is hard to find fault with Leighs master work. The stand out for me is brenda Blethyn as working-class poor Cynthia. Just when we thought Cynthia would live out the rest of her days as a worker in a banal factory, with her confrontational daughter Roxanne, she is thrown a life line in the form of Hortense, and we see their relationship flourish. Timothy Spall is also on top form as the glue that holds the family together.

The film is a harsh but realistic portrayal of the British family although the ending is fairly predictable and the film seems long on repeat viewings, you can't help but feel uplifted by the sentimental outcome.

Fantastic portrait of humanity
Review date: 2003-03-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

I recently saw Mike Leigh's play "Abigail's Party" in the West End and absolutely loved it. I then decided to buy the VHS of this film, on a whim, knowing relatively little about it. I am so glad that I did. It is not a film about anything in particular, which may seem a little odd and put people off. All i can say is that if you are someone who enjoys sitting and watching the world go by, and who listens to and wonders about people, you will love this film. I would suggest that you should be adventurous and buy it.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Brenda Blethyn
Phyllis Logan
Claire Rushbrook
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Timothy Spall

Creators:
Timothy Spall (Primary Contributor)
Brenda Blethyn (Primary Contributor)
Dick Pope (Cinematographer)
Mike Leigh (Writer)
Jon Gregory (Editor)
Simon Channing Williams (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014138287986
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-08-16
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 136 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996-10-25

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